Legal Question in Criminal Law in Missouri

my sister and I were abused age is a 4-16 biological father has got away with it for all these years and has always told us the Statue of limitations we're up can't prosecuting he did have to go to counseling when we reported it when we were 15-16 yrs old. Our step mother worked with the prosecuting the time she knew all the lawyers the judges state workers, my sister does remember state workers to talk to and I remember going to the courthouse and making a statement circling pictures of what he didwe were wondering what the statute of limitations was on sexual abuse and rape. my sister remembers them saying it we had to press charges as a child but that doesn't seem right the state should have pressed charges against him that time we think it's because conflict of interest with our step mother with the prosecuting attorney and working at the court house you for your time please help us at least make everyone know he is a sexual predator.

Thank you

Stacy


Asked on 6/17/14, 5:48 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Smith LawSmith

In most cases, childhood abuse must be prosecuted by the time the child reaches age 20. There are rare exceptions that can add a few years. But, unless the abuse was unknown, it generally must be brought within 2 years of reaching the age of majority, for a civil suit. Criminal charges must be brought within a few years of the abuse being known. In that case, the Statute of Limitations Period may expire (for criminal charges) before the child reaches the age of majority.

Good luck

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Answered on 6/17/14, 10:57 am


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